Simple & Crispy Air Fryer Sesame Cauliflower Wings Recipe

Crispy sesame cauliflower wings bring a delightful twist to plant-based snacking that will revolutionize your appetizer game.

These golden, crunchy morsels craft an ordinary vegetable into an extraordinary culinary experience.

Perfectly seasoned and air-fried, these wings offer a healthier alternative to traditional fried fare.

The magical combination of textures and flavors creates an irresistible bite that challenges everything you know about vegetable dishes.

Each morsel delivers a satisfying crunch with a delicate balance of savory and slightly sweet notes.

The air fryer ensures a crisp exterior while maintaining a tender interior that melts in you mouth.

Forget boring vegetable sides and embrace this game-changing recipe that will become your new favorite crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients for Cauliflower Wings with Sesame Glaze

• All-Purpose Flour: Basic batter base with a light and crispy texture.
• Non-Dairy Milk: Helps create a smooth, binding batter for coating.
• Garlic Powder: Adds subtle savory flavor to the coating.
• Salt: Enhances overall seasoning of the crispy layer.
• Breadcrumbs: Provides extra crunch and golden exterior.

• Cauliflower: Main star of the dish with a meaty texture and neutral flavor.

• Soy Sauce, Honey: Combination creates a sweet and salty base for glaze.
• Garlic, Ginger: Aromatic foundations that build deep flavor profile.
• Water: Helps balance and thin out sauce consistency.
• Sesame Oil: Adds nutty, rich undertone to the sauce.
• Rice Vinegar: Provides slight tangy brightness.
• Gochujang, Sriracha: Brings heat and complex spicy notes.
• Cornstarch: Thickens sauce to perfect glazing consistency.

• Sesame Seeds, Chopped Scallions: Fresh finishing touches for color and texture.

How to Make Sesame Cauliflower in the Air Fryer

Step 1: Prepare Cauliflower

Chop fresh cauliflower into bite-sized florets, ensuring each piece is roughly the same size for even cooking.

Step 2: Create Crispy Coating

• All-purpose flour
• Non-dairy milk
• Garlic powder
• Salt

Dip cauliflower florets into the batter, ensuring complete coverage. Roll each piece in breadcrumbs for extra crunch.

Step 3: Preheat Air Fryer

Set air fryer temperature to 370°F (188°C). Allow machine to warm up for several minutes.

Step 4: Cook Cauliflower Wings

Arrange cauliflower pieces in a single layer inside air fryer basket. Cook for 10-13 minutes, shaking basket midway to ensure even browning. Repeat with remaining florets.

Step 5: Craft Sesame Sauce

• Minced garlic
• Fresh ginger

• Soy sauce
• Honey
• Water
• Sesame oil
• Rice vinegar
• Gochujang
• Sriracha

Step 6: Thicken Sauce

Whisk cornstarch with water in a separate dish. Pour mixture into saucepan. Stir continuously until sauce reaches desired thickness.

Step 7: Combine and Garnish

Toss cooked cauliflower wings in prepared sauce. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and chopped scallions. Serve immediately while hot and crispy.

Tips for Crispy and Flavorful Cauliflower Wings

• Maximize Crispiness: Pat cauliflower completely dry before battering to ensure a super crunchy exterior that holds the sauce perfectly.
• Prevent Overcrowding: Arrange cauliflower pieces in a single layer with space between them for even cooking and maximum crispiness in the air fryer.
• Batter Consistency Matters: Whisk batter until smooth and free of lumps to create an even, crispy coating that sticks well to the cauliflower.
• Sauce Thickening Trick: Stir cornstarch mixture constantly while heating to prevent clumping and achieve a glossy, smooth sauce texture.
• Serving Suggestion: Serve immediately after tossing in sauce to maintain the wings' crispy texture and prevent sogginess.

How to Store and Reheat Air Fryer Wings

• Refrigerate: Store cooled cauliflower wings in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. Keep sauce separate to maintain crispiness.
• Reheat in Air Fryer: Warm wings at 350°F for 3-4 minutes, shaking basket halfway through to restore crunchiness and even heating.
• Microwave Option: Heat in short 30-second intervals, checking texture. Best used when crispy texture isn't the primary concern, as microwaving can make wings slightly soggy.

Snacks and Sides to Pair with These Wings

• Pair with Cool Rice Noodle Salad: Fresh, chilled rice noodles with cucumber and mint create a refreshing contrast to the spicy, crispy cauliflower wings, balancing the heat and adding a light texture.
• Match with Crisp Asian-Style Slaw: A tangy coleslaw with rice vinegar, sesame oil, and green onions provides a crunchy side that complements the wings' saucy richness and adds brightness to the dish.
• Serve Alongside Bright Sake Cocktail: A chilled sake spritzer with lime and sparkling water cuts through the wings' bold flavors, offering a clean, palate-cleansing drink that enhances the meal's Asian-inspired profile.
• Complement with Creamy Coconut Lime Dip: A smooth, zesty dip made with coconut yogurt and fresh lime juice offers a cooling counterpoint to the spicy gochujang and sriracha sauce, adding another layer of complexity to the dish.

Flavorful Variations to Test Next Time

• Spicy Korean Kick: Replace gochujang and sriracha with additional Korean red pepper flakes for an intense heat level that builds slowly on the palate.
• Maple Soy Fusion: Swap honey with pure maple syrup and add a dash of smoked paprika for a complex, smoky-sweet glaze that caramelizes beautifully on the cauliflower.
• Coconut Curry Option: Incorporate coconut milk into the batter and blend mild curry powder into the sauce for a creamy, aromatic rendition with Southeast Asian influences.
• Gluten-Free Crunch: Use almond flour instead of regular flour and gluten-free panko breadcrumbs to create a crispy coating suitable for those with wheat sensitivities.

Why Air Fryer Sesame Cauliflower Wings Are a Must-Try

• Crunch Into Crispy Goodness: The air fryer technique creates perfectly crispy cauliflower wings with a satisfying crunch that mimics traditional chicken wings, giving plant-based eaters a delightful textural experience.
• Burst with Bold Flavor Fusion: The sauce combines sweet, spicy, and tangy elements through gochujang, sriracha, honey, and soy sauce, delivering a complex flavor profile that tantalizes taste buds with every bite.
• Whip Up Effortless Vegan Comfort: This recipe transforms humble cauliflower into a restaurant-worthy dish using simple ingredients and an air fryer, making gourmet plant-based cooking accessible and quick for home cooks of all skill levels.

Air Fryer Sesame Cauliflower Wings Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.5 from 36 reviews

• Total Time: 28 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Sesame cauliflower wings bring crispy Asian-inspired magic from your air fryer to dinner plates. Crunchy florets glazed with sweet-tangy sauce offer plant-based deliciousness you’ll crave again and again.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 medium head cauliflower, cut into florets

Coating Ingredients:

• ⅔ cup (80 g) gluten-free all-purpose flour or regular all-purpose flour
• ⅔ cup (160 ml) plain non-dairy milk (such as almond milk)
• ¾ cup (60 g) gluten-free breadcrumbs

Seasoning Ingredients:

• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Spicy Sesame Sauce Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) oil
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger
• ⅓ cup (80 ml) low sodium soy sauce or tamari
• ¼ cup (60 ml) honey or maple syrup
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) water or vegetable broth
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) toasted sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) rice vinegar
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) gochujang
• 1–2 teaspoons sriracha (optional for extra heat)
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 teaspoon water

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Transform fresh cauliflower into bite-sized florets, ensuring uniform pieces for consistent cooking.
2. Craft a smooth, creamy batter by blending flour, non-dairy milk, garlic powder, and salt until fully integrated.
3. Thoroughly coat each cauliflower piece in the prepared batter, ensuring complete coverage.
4. Roll the battered florets in breadcrumbs, creating a crisp, even outer layer that will provide delightful texture.
5. Warm the air fryer to 370°F, preparing for precise, oil-free cooking.
6. Arrange half the cauliflower pieces in a single layer within the air fryer basket, avoiding overcrowding to promote optimal crispiness.
7. Cook for 10-13 minutes, midway interrupting the process to shake the basket and guarantee uniform browning.
8. While the first batch cooks, create the sauce by gently sautéing minced garlic until delicately golden.
9. Incorporate freshly grated ginger, allowing its aromatic essence to release and enhance the sauce’s complexity.
10. Combine soy sauce, honey, water, sesame oil, rice vinegar, gochujang, and sriracha, stirring to meld the diverse flavor profiles.
11. Prepare a cornstarch slurry to thicken the sauce, whisking until smooth and lump-free.
12. Introduce the slurry into the simmering sauce, continuously stirring until the mixture reaches a luxurious, glossy consistency.
13. Generously coat the crispy cauliflower wings with the prepared sauce, ensuring each piece is thoroughly dressed.
14. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and finely chopped scallions, adding visual appeal and additional layers of flavor.

Notes

• Ensure cauliflower florets are roughly the same size for even cooking and consistent crispiness.
• Shake the air fryer basket midway through cooking to guarantee uniform browning and prevent sticking.
• Whisk cornstarch mixture thoroughly to avoid lumps and achieve a smooth, glossy sauce consistency.
• Let the sauce simmer and thicken naturally, stirring continuously to prevent burning or uneven texture.
• Serve immediately after coating wings in sauce to maintain maximum crispiness and prevent sogginess.
• Customize heat level by adjusting gochujang and sriracha quantities to suit personal spice preferences.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 13 minutes (per batch)
• Category: Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Asian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 305
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 46 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg